Netanyahu wants new election, but opposition can block it, says Arab Party leader Ahmad Tibi

Joint Arab List head tells that Netanyahu is plotting to stay caretaker PM by launching a war on Iran after US midterms, while urging opposition parties to block the scheme by forming a new government.

Ahmad Tibi, head of the Joint Arab List’s parliamentary bloc in Israel’s Knesset, has alleged that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking another election to cling to power, urging opposition parties to thwart his plans by forming a government led by Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot.

In an exclusive interview with Turkish news agency Anadolu, Tibi said he believes Netanyahu intends to remain at the helm of a caretaker government while preparing to launch another war against Iran in coordination with US President Donald Trump.

“I think Netanyahu wants another election. For now, he wants to remain prime minister of the caretaker government,” he said.

“Netanyahu wants to launch a war against Iran in cooperation and coordination with Donald Trump after the US midterm elections, then hold another election,” he added.

Tibi urged opposition parties to move swiftly and decisively to prevent Netanyahu from carrying out that scenario.

“The opposition must block Netanyahu by announcing that a government will be formed under Eisenkot as prime minister. We, as the Joint Arab List, are ready to help,” he said.

He stressed that the Joint Arab List does not intend to join a new government but is prepared to facilitate its formation through understandings with opposition parties.

“We in the Joint Arab List do not want to enter a government. We have spoken about providing a safety net for our community and making it possible to bring down Netanyahu’s government and establish an alternative government through understandings with the opposition,” he said.

Tibi said Arab lawmakers would seek commitments addressing the needs of their communities in exchange for providing parliamentary support.

“The most important thing for us now is to bring down this government,” he added.

He expressed hope that opposition leaders would overcome their differences and end internal disputes following Tuesday’s parliamentary elections.